At $4,882/yr net price, Suffolk County Community College graduates earn $49,907/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $15,907/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,882 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $19,528 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $49,907/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$15,907/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 24.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $2,771/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,491/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,022/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,742/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,022/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $71,686 | $9,000 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $49,918 | |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Associate | $46,478 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $45,128 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $42,682 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $42,682 | |
| Legal Support Services. | Certificate | $39,729 | |
| Community Organization and Advocacy. | Associate | $37,208 | |
| Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences, Other. | Associate | $36,324 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $34,495 | $7,000 |
The Risk Factor
24.9% of students at Suffolk County Community College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Suffolk County Community College gives you a low-cost entry point with a return that hinges almost entirely on what you study. At under $5,000 a year in net price and median debt of $8,250, the financial downside is small. The problem is the 24.9% graduation rate, which means most people who enroll here do not finish, and an unfinished degree with even modest debt is the worst outcome on this page.
Nursing is where the math works. The associate nursing program pays about $71,686 ten years out, roughly $22,000 more than the school-wide median and far ahead of every other program listed. HVAC maintenance and medical assisting land in the high $40,000s, still solid against the low cost of getting there. The practical nursing certificate at $45,128 is a fast, cheap path if you finish it. Health and medical administrative services sits at the bottom of the top programs, and once you drop below that tier the earnings likely fall further, so a general or transfer-oriented track here carries more risk if you stop at the associate level.
The real financial risk is not price, it's completion. Three in four students do not graduate, and the value of this school lives in the credential. If you enroll without a clear plan to finish a career-focused program, you are betting on the weak side of those odds.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most: under $30k, you pay about $2,771, while families over $110k pay roughly $11,022. That spread means this is a strong-value option if your family earns under $48k and you target nursing or a skilled trade. If you can afford to pay full price and want a four-year degree, you should treat this as a transfer step, not a destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Suffolk County Community College worth the money?
At $4,882 per year with median debt of only $8,250, Suffolk County Community College offers decent value for specific career programs. Nursing graduates earn $71,686 within 10 years, making the investment worthwhile, but the overall 24.9% graduation rate means many students don't finish.
What programs at Suffolk County Community College have the best ROI?
Nursing programs deliver the strongest returns, with registered nursing graduates earning $71,686 annually. HVAC technician training also pays off well at $46,478, while general programs show weaker earning potential at the school's average of $49,907.
How much debt do Suffolk County Community College graduates typically have?
Graduates carry a median debt of $8,250, which is manageable compared to four-year colleges. The low annual cost of $4,882 helps keep borrowing minimal for most students.
Why is Suffolk County Community College's graduation rate so low?
Only 24.9% of students graduate, likely due to the challenges many community college students face with work and family obligations. This means there's significant risk of accumulating debt without completing a program.